Multiple Product Managers for a Single Digital Product

In today's fast-paced digital world, it is common for organizations to have a single product manager responsible for the development and success of a large product. However, with the increasing complexity of digital products and the need to meet diverse customer needs, some companies are turning to multiple product managers to lead the development of a single product. While this approach has its benefits, it also poses unique challenges. In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of having multiple product managers for one large digital product.

Benefits of having multiple product managers:

1. Increased focus on customer needs: One of the biggest advantages of having multiple product managers is the ability to focus on different customer segments. By assigning each product manager to a specific customer segment, organizations can gain a better understanding of their customers' needs and deliver a product that meets their specific requirements. This approach ensures that the product is tailored to each customer group's unique needs, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

2. Faster time-to-market: Multiple product managers can help accelerate the product development process. By splitting the product into smaller segments, each product manager can focus on delivering their part of the product in a timely manner. This approach allows the organization to launch new features and improvements to the product more quickly than if a single product manager was responsible for the entire product.

3. Improved communication and collaboration: When multiple product managers are responsible for a single product, communication and collaboration become critical. Each product manager must work closely with the others to ensure that the product is delivered on time and meets customer needs. This collaboration can lead to better product outcomes, more efficient use of resources, and a stronger team dynamic.

4. Increased innovation: Multiple product managers bring different perspectives and ideas to the product development process, leading to more innovative solutions. Each product manager has their own unique experience and skill set, which they can bring to the table when developing the product. This approach can help organizations create a more comprehensive and innovative product that meets the needs of a wider range of customers.

Challenges of having multiple product managers:

1. Conflict and competition: Having multiple product managers can lead to conflict and competition between teams. Each product manager may have their own vision for the product, which can lead to conflicting priorities and goals. This competition can disturb collaboration and communication, which can negatively impact the product's development.

2. Difficulty in decision-making: With multiple product managers, decision-making can become more complicated. Each product manager may have their own ideas and opinions on how to develop the product, leading to a lack of consensus. This challenge can be compounded when there is no clear hierarchy between the product managers, making it difficult to make decisive decisions.

3. Duplication of effort: When multiple product managers are responsible for a single product, there is a risk of duplication of effort. Each product manager may focus on developing their own part of the product, leading to overlap in features and functions. This duplication can lead to a bloated and complex product, making it difficult for customers to use and understand.

4. Increased cost and resource utilization: Multiple product managers require more resources and may increase the cost of developing the product. Each product manager needs their own team and resources to develop their part of the product, leading to an increased cost and utilization of resources. This challenge can make it difficult for organizations to justify the increased cost of having multiple product managers.

Having multiple product managers for a single digital product can be beneficial in many ways, including increased focus on customer needs, faster time-to-market, improved communication and collaboration, and increased innovation. However, this approach also poses challenges such as conflict and competition, difficulty in decision-making, duplication of effort, and increased cost and resource utilization. Ultimately, whether to have multiple product managers for a single digital product will depend on the goals and priorities of the digital product and organization.